The women in my life remind me that they are becoming more aware that most modern maladies are caused by prolonged exposure to a combination of negative lifestyles and toxic environmental factors, including junk food and malnutrition, pesticides, antibiotics, microwaves and chemical pollution of food, water and air. They also are taking their health into their own hands by making better choices. Our May issue, with a focus on woman’s health, helps to add to those positive discussions.

We begin that conversation with a blissful feature by Marlaina Donato on the importance of me-time. Most women I know have jam-packed schedules, so this article, “Her Soul in Bloom: Self-Care for All Stages of Life”, guides all women with a different way to embrace the need for self-care. A perfect gift for our mothers and those who mother us throughout life this Mother’s Day month.

Our women’s health issue also spotlights a timely and critical development in “Toxic Legacy: Breast Implant Warriors Unite”. Writer Linda Sechrist demonstrates the power of many voices when they speak as one to demand answers and federal action. With record numbers of women and teenagers—400,000 each year—undergoing implant surgery, the health risks are becoming too well documented to ignore. If you, or someone you love, has had an implant, this is important (and alarming) information to share.

Both women and men will be encouraged by Randy Kambic’s interview with “Peter Sagal on Running Toward Mindfulness”. The popular National Public Radio host talks about healing a wounded psyche by unplugging and embracing the natural world — and you don’t have to run a marathon to do it.

Speaking of the natural world, what better time of year to get the little ones out of the house? In “Gardening for Kids: The Fun of Growing Their Own”, Ronica A. O’Hara shows us how this helps grow healthy, veggie-loving kids as well.

Fruits and vegetables are also the focus of Melinda Hemmelgarn’s “Vision Quest: Eat a Rainbow of Color for Healthy Eyes”. Two specific nutrients have been shown to reduce the risk and slow the progression of cataracts and macular degeneration—the two most common age- and diet-related causes of vision loss.

We all know how smart it is to eat a plant-based diet, but did you know how smart plants are? People have been talking to plants for years, but did you know they talk to each other? April Thompson’s “Plants Talk: Discover Their Secret Language” is a fascinating look at how they communicate to defend themselves and assist their neighbors in the most extraordinary ways.

We always appreciate the opportunity to help all our readers (not just the women) learn the latest, cutting-edge information on how to support their health—in so many different ways. Maybe this would be the perfect time to pass this knowledge on to other women in your life—so they, too, can share the gift of health.